Loose-leaf ring binder



Sept. 5, 1950 c. COPPAGE 2,520,999-

LOOSE-LEAF RING BINDER Filed March 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 6,744 455 A. COP/446E} .ZWVE/VTOE P 1950 c. L. COPPAGE 2,520,999

LOOSE-LEAF RING BINDER Filed March 27, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 firroemex Patented Sept. 5, 1950 LOOSE-LEAF RING BINDER Charles L. Coppag-e, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Roger P. Haydock, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Application March 27, 1947, Serial No. 737,517

3 Claims.

This invention relates to paper files and binders, and more particularly to loose leaf binders.

An object of my invention is to provide a ring binder, the design of which is improved to the extent that although it affords all the convenience of ring binders of more conventional design, it is of stronger and more durable construction and is adapted for quantity production at materially reduced cost.

A more detailed object in this connection is to provide a ring binder, the spine of which is of exceptionally rugged design adapted for production in accordance with a novel, highly efficient and economical method.

In this same connection, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel, high.- ly efficient and economical method for producing the spine portion of a loose leaf ring binder.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred forms of my invention which are illustrated in the drawings accom-- panying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferred forms within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a loose leaf book of the ring binder type, incorporating the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View, the plane of section of which is indicated by the lines 22 of Figure l in the direction of View by the arrows. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view, showing the manner of assembly of the bindin of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view in perspective, showing the construction of the spine portion of the ring book of Figures 1 and 2, parts of this figure also being broken away to reduce its size.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective, showing a portion of the strip stock blank from which the :principal portion of the spine of Figure 4 may be formed.

Figure 6 is a view similarto Figure 5, showing the strip stock blank after the process of rolling it to substantially cylindrical form has been partially completed.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2, showin a slightly modified form of ring book constructed have been removed.

2 in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate one form of loose leaf binder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention which is readily adapted for use as a photograph album, scrap book, or the like, although of course these uses are merely exemplary. It comprises front and back covers H and [2, respectively, interconnected at their rear edges by a back l3 which may well be a continuation of the sheet M of material which serves as the facing l6, ll of the front and back covers H and i2, respectively.

In the form of my invention illustrated, each of the covers H, [2 comprises a foundation sheet 2| of suitable material such as press board, double or triple ply cardboard, or the like, having sufiicient inherent rigidity to retain its form un der the circumstances of use for which the particular book is designed. The sheet M of facin material is preferably adhesively bonded to the outer surface of both of the sheets 2| of foundation material, preferably with the peripheral edge of the facing 14 folded around the corresponding edges of the foundation sheets 2! so that they are concealed beneath sheets 22 of lining, one of which is adhesively bonded to the inner surface of each of the covers H and H2.

The portion 23 of the flexible facing I4 remaining between the adjacent inner edges of the two sheets 21 of foundation material serves as the back of the covered binder to which the spine 24 is attached.

A portion of the covered spine 24, ready for installation within covers, is illustrated in Figure 4, whereas Figure 5 illustrates a portion of a flat blank from which the rigid portion of the spine may be formed, and Figure 6 illustrates the blank of Figure 5 after the process of shaping it to substantially cylindrical form is partially completed.

The formed blank of Figure 5 may be produced from continuous strip stock sheet metal of suitable gauge and composition to impart thereto the desired characteristics of strength and durability, ordinary cold-rolled steel of approximately thickness having been found in practice to be altogether suitable under most circumstances. A strip 3| of such material, approximately 3%" in width, has substantially H-shaped sections severed therefrom, preferably by a diestamping process, to present a series of H-shaped apertures 32 spaced apart thereon by spaced parallel straps 33 interconnecting the two lateral strips 34 remaining after the H-shaped sections Because of the H-shaped characteristic of each of the apertures 32 each end of each of the straps 33 is integral with the inner edge of one of the side strips 34 at the bottom of a notch 36 in the inner edge of that side strip. Flanges 31 extend into each of the apertures 32 from each of the side strips 34, each of these flanges 31 being slightly shorter, measured longitudinallyio'f the strip '31, than itheiaperture 32 into which they extend. Preferablyall of the apertures 32 are alike in shape and size, with the result that the straps 33 are equally spaced from each other throughout the length 7 of the strip 3|. A hole 38 also is preferably formed adjacent the outer edge -'of each of the strips 34 in alignment with the center of each of the flanges 31.

Stock strips 3| formed according to "this description may be produced in large quantities in a very economical manner, or greater economy may be obtained by forming the stock 3| as a con- ;tinuous strip from which "selected lengths :may be out, such lengths being determined by the length of 'zthe spine desired fora finished book :of any given dimensions. These predetermined lengths, after having been :severed from the stock strip :3l, are folded or otherwise shaped :to substantially cylindrical form, Figure .6 illustrating the blank with :this forming process .partially completed, and Figure 4 illustrating the completed rspine with .all of its straps 133 bent to arcuate substantially circular forms, with the result that all of the straps .33 present axially aligned rings upstanding from the rib ii which is formed :by the two jlateralstrips '34 which are brought into superimposed relation with respect to .each other as the process of bending the straps133ito circular :form 31S carried out.

Thus forming the rings -33 results in reversing the positions of the two side strips 34 with re- 'spect to each other, i. e., when .in the formof the fiat blank -.illustrated in FigureB, .the edges of the two strips to which the straps 33 connect and which carry the flanges .31 .are the inner edges of the side .strips inasmuch as they are disposed proximal :to each other; but when the rolling of .the spine is completed, these edges constitute the .outer edges of the .rib A! with .the flanges 81 extending outwards therefrom :and with tlre .rings .33 also extending outwards and upwards therefrom-in a'circular :curve.

When the two side .strips Miare thus superimposed upon each other, the holes :38 of the two strips 34 are brought into register with each other, thus oiferin convenient means for -atatach-ing .a simple, inexpensive cover to the spine, :such as that illustrated in Figure 27, which is in the nature of a sheet .of paper, cardboard, fibre board or the like, attached centrally to the rib by rivets d3iextendingthrough the aligned holes '38 in the two superimposed side strips 3'4.

Preferably the outwardly extending flanges 37 are also shaped to arcuate form but about a greater radius than that about which :the rings 33 (are formed, so that although they .ilare outwards and upwards, they are disposed outside the icylindrica'l iplanewithin'which all of the rings 3.3 ,lie. This lesser curvature of :the flanges 3? leaves :a substantially vcuspal-sha-ped space '45 between the rings 3.3 and siihe flanges {upon each side of thespinefi.

In forming the type of :binder illustrated Figures 1 and a padding strip is disposed within each f these cuspal-shaped spaces 36, hirer-lying {the rater edges of .all of the associatedali nediiangesfil. :Preferablyeachof these padding strips 41 has one of the longitudinal edges 48 of a strip of binding tape 49 wrapped therearound so that the extreme edge 48 of the tape t9 is disposed between the padding strip 4'! and the flanges 37, whence the tape 49 extends around the inner edge of the padding strip 41 and then laterally outwards over the outer surface of the padding strip-:41 to dispose the central portion 51 of the binding tape 49 in position to extend past the edges of the padding strip 41 and the flanges 3? so that the opposite longitudinal edge 5.2 of the binding tape 49 can extend inwards upon the opposite side of the flanges 3'! -from that with which the padding strip 41 is associated.

Preferably a plurality of strips 53 and 54 of suitable padding :material overlies the outer surfaces of the flanges 3'! and the rib 4! so as to provide ample protection for the back 23 of the bound book from the relatively sharp corners which are unavoidably present in the hardmateria'l of which the rib ll and flanges 31 are (formed. Preferably the cushioning strips 53 and "-54, as well as the edge '52 ofthe binding tape-49, are interconnected by a suitable cementitious bondingmaterial so as todevelop a unitary structure similarly attached to the outer surfaces of the xilanges 3"? and the rib 4i, and this assembly is bonded to the back 23, also by suitable cementitious material.

An inside finishing :tape :6! interconnects each of the covers H and I2 with .the inner surfaces of the associated flanges '31, preferably the outer longitudinal edge 62 of -each of these tapes 61 ibeing concealed under the proximal edge of the associated :cover :lining 22 .soas to impart a more attractive, finished appearance :to the completed structure. A suitable hinge :is developed zbetween each of the covers :11, i2 and the spine .24 by adhesively uniting the back .23 to each of the padding tapes ,6! Lina line 1 53 closely adjacent the innerledgerof the associated cover, asillustrated in Figures 2;and'3.

Thus it may be seen that I have provided an unusually strong and {durable ring binder construction, as well .as a novel method of -its production, which is characterized .by practically coaxially aligned rings 33, each of which is of substantially rectangular oross-,-se.ctional form, The pages H intended jor :use with such ,aring ebinder are formed of suitable paper stock possessed-of suincient body to meetpresent requirements. A series ,of T-shaped notches 112 are formed .in each of the pages H, :being spaced. apart along its inner :edge 13 at intervals corresponding to the spacing between the rings 33 .of the binder. Each of the T-shaped notches '12 comprises a stem portion 14 extending gperpendicularly with respect ,to the associated edge i3 and a head portion .16 extending parallel to the edge [3 and equidistant .011 qppositesides of the associated stem portion 14. Preferably the outer end of the stem portion 14 of each of the notches T2 -is flared to provide tapering entrance throat 77. The head portion '16 of .each notch fl-2 substantiall corresponds in form to, and is slightly larger than, the cross-section of each :of the rings 3-3 so that the edge of the rings 33 can be received within the head "portions 76 of corresponding notches -14 of all the pages -71 :to (be received within the binder. The pages 17:! will be securely retained upon the several rings 33 because'the stem portions Ti of the notches are narrower than "the rings 33,,andyet the pages iii are capable of being mounted upon and removed from the rings at will by first engaging one of the two opposite tongues 18 which define the stem portion 74 of the notch 12 nearest either the top or the bottom of the sheet II, under the corresponding ring 33, and then deforming the opposite tongue 18 of that same notch 12 by pressing it laterally until it snaps under the same ring 33, thus disposing the ring 33 in the head portion l6 Of that notch 12 and then repeating this process for each of the notches l2 and the respectively associated rings 33 throughout the entire length of the page H.

One or more pages H can be removed readily by a reversal of the described process of their insertion, i. e., by first removing one of the tongues '18 and then the other tongue of each notch 12 from the respectively associated rings 33 and progressively from one end of each page to the other.

I claim:

1. A loose leaf binder of the character described, comprising front and back covers and a back interconnecting said covers, and a spine comprising a pair of strips superimposed one upon the other, a plurality of arcuate flanges on each of said strips extending outwardly from the outer edge thereof, said back being mounted upon said flanges and being shaped thereby to their curvature, said flanges being disposed at spaced intervals longitudinally thereof to define a notch between each two adjacent flanges of each of said strips, corresponding ones of said notches of said two strips being in alignment with each other considered transversely of said spine, and a plurality of straps interconnecting said strips, each of said straps being of arcuate form and extending from the bottom of one of said notches of one of said strips to the bottom of the corresponding notch of the other of said strips, said flanges being of arcuate form and curving from their respective strips in the same general direction as said strips, but about a greater radius than that of said strips.

2. A loose leaf binder of the character described, comprising front and back covers and a back interconnecting said covers, and a spine comprising a pair of strips superimposed one upon the other, a plurality of flanges on each of said strips extending outwardly from the outer edge thereof and disposed at spaced intervals longitudinally thereof to define a notch between each two adjacent flanges of each of said strips, corresponding ones of said notches of said two strips being in alignment with each other considered transversel of said spine, a plurality of straps interconnecting said strips, each of said straps being of arcuate form and extending from the bottom of one of said notches of one of said strips to the bottom of th corresponding notch of the other of said strips to define a plurality of spaced rings upstanding from said strips and a tape extending longitudinally of said spine along the outer edges of the flanges of each of said strips, each of said tapes being secured to the outer face of the associated flanges and being folded around the outer edges of the associated flanges to dispose one of its edges between said flanges and said back, said coverconnecting back being secured to the outer face of said tape and thereby being shaped by said flanges to the curvature thereof.

3. A loose leaf binder of the character described, comprising front and back covers and a back interconnecting said covers, and a spine comprising a pair of strips superimposed one upon the other, a pluralit of flanges on each of said strips extending outwardly from the outer edge thereof and disposed at spaced intervals longitudinaly thereof to define a notch between each two adjacent flanges of each of said strips, corresponding ones of said notches of said two strips being in alignment with each other considered transversely of said spine, a plurality of straps interconnecting said strips, each of said straps being of arcuate form and extending from the bottom of one of said notches of one of said strips to the bottom of the corresponding notch of the other of said strips to define a plurality of spaced axially aligned rings upstanding from said strips, a padding strip overlying said flanges of each of said strips, and a tape associated with each of said padding strips, each of said tapes being secured along one of its longitudinal edges to the under side of the associated padding strip and being folded upwards therefrom around the inner longitudinal edge of the padding strip to extend outwards in covering relation to the padding strip and thence downwards and around the outer edges of said flanges and at least partially ocross the outer face of said spine, said cover-connecting back being securedto the outer face of said tape and thereby being shaped by said flanges to the curvature thereof.

CHARLES L. COPPAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 814,492 Wheildon Mar. 6, 1906 1,138,262 Trussell May 4, 1915 2,116,078 Mevi May 3, 1938 2,180,892 Adams Nov. 21, 1939 2,242,740 Arends May 20, 1941 2,302,171 Baughman Nov. 17, 1942 2,367,687 Phillips Jan. 23, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 217,484 Great Britain June 19, 1924 

